Dear parents and carers,

Welcome back to school for our final term of 2019. I hope that everyone enjoyed the break away from our regular school routine and has been able to enjoy a good time with your families.

Term 4 will be a busy term for us. During this time, the children will continue with their regular learning as well as various sporting and other activities.

Already this week, we have worked across a variety of different activities.

On Monday, Miss Schneider and Mrs King led our reflection day that included looking at the work of Mary Mackillop, including how she chose to work with those in regional areas in order to provide opportunity to access education.

Tuesday saw us working with Carol Lamont from Canberra to begin the process of reviewing and revising policy and procedures relating to our behaviour management and welfare.

This includes updating of school rules in line with the work already commenced with the introduction last year of our ABC. Our ABC explains what we need to be doing in order to be able to make the most of each day at both school and elsewhere in life.

Aspire – to be our best

Believe – that Jesus is with us

Connect – with each other, the world and God

When we remember these three aspects of our day at school then days will flow smoothly and we will get the most out of our learning.

Following on from this, we have looked at how school wide positive behaviours and interventions can be used to support our ABC. The process is used in a number of states across Australia and in other countries, and is modified to fit with local circumstances to ensure that it is geared for the individual school.

From this, we have developed four focus points or rules for ensuring that our children are developing their ability to respond appropriately in various learning situations. These include

• Be safe
• Be Respectful
• Be your best
• Be Responsible

These statements can be used as questions to check in with how we are progressing as learners and how we can work to resolve challenges when they arise both in class and on the playground.

Staff have already begun using these phrases with the children.

Term 4 will see us working to embed this thinking in our regular routines.

In terms of behaviour, asking questions such as

• Was it safe?
• Was I being respectful?
• Was I making my best effort?
• Was I being responsible?

enables identification of where the “problem” has occurred and allows thinking around what needs to happen to repair the hurt that has been caused.

Revision and redevelopment of policies is an ongoing process and we expect that it will take some time to ensure that this way of thinking is embedded in everyday routines across our school.

Yesterday, we met our new parish priests Fr James and Fr Praveen. Already the children have been making enquiries as to favourite sports and other places that our priests have worked. We are looking forward to working with our parish priests in the coming weeks.

Congratulations to Mel and Daniel and the Fanning family on the arrival of Eedie Jean – Stella, Jack and Harry are super excited with their new sister!

School photos –This year, our school photos will be taken on Monday (21 October). We are looking forward to seeing everyone looking very smart in his or her summer school uniform on this day! The personalised envelopes for photo orders were sent home last term –all envelopes should have been returned to school by Wednesday, 16 October, even if you DO NOT wish to purchase photos.

Family photos are only available for children attending school (no younger siblings, parents etc.) Please ask at the office for a family photo order form.

Excursions – we have a number of excursions coming up over the next few weeks; please return any notes relating to these as soon as possible.

Armistice Day – remembrance service will be held on Monday November 11 commencing at 10:45am. Everyone is welcome to join us at the service at the Cenotaph.

Kinder Transition - Orientation mornings for our 2020, Kinder students will be held in November. If you are aware of any parents who would like their child to participate in our transition program, please invite them to make contact with us at school.

The dates for this year’s program are as follows: November 6 and 13, 20 and 27. These days are an opportunity for children to come along and learn some more about “big school” routines. Everyone is welcome to join our Transition program.

Thank you to those families who have already returned completed and returned enrolment forms for our new Kinder students.

End of Year events – please be aware that we have now confirmed that our presentation evening will be held on Thursday December 12 and the End of Year Graduation Mass will be held on Tuesday December 17.

Scholastic Book Club – the book club order forms have been distributed.  All purchased now need to be made online using Scholastic’s LOOP ordering system.  Instructions are on the order forms.  If you need assistance setting up an online account, please ask.  Book Club orders need to be completed by Friday, 1 November 2019.

Triple P parenting course - The Online Course shown below could be an effective way of gaining some tips to help shape positive behaviours. This course can be completed in the privacy of your own home.

Triple P Parenting Online Course

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au-uken/find-help/triple-p-online/

Sincerely